Weighing the needs of the
Academy against the building’s dramatic expression—
seven rolling, seismically
secured hills—required the
work of 320 engineers.

Part

3

THE ATRIUM
Structurally, the atrium (above and
right) is a 96-by-72-foot hole in the
center of the building. Its two layers
of tensile nets hold sun, acoustic,
and rain shades and can support
maintenance crews walking on top.